Social Services

The Division of Human Services social services specialists perform a variety of functions. We welcome any questions or interest regarding our programs and services listed below:

Assistance with Utility Bills

Health Insurance

Information and Referral

Medication Assistance

Pregnancy Testing

Prenatal Case Management

Eyeglasses Assistance

Dental Pain Relief

When you come to our office for help, please bring an ID with your picture on it (drivers license, student ID, Department
of Corrections, etc), social security cards for your household, proof of income for thirty (30) days, and proof of address. To contact the Division of Human Services social services staff, please call 573.817.6430

Assistance with Utility Bills

The Division of Human Services administers two utility assistance
programs for Boone County residents:

H.E.L.P. (Heat Energy and Light Program)

provides one-time emergency assistance to low-income families with young children in the home

C.A.S.H. (Citizens Assisting Seniors and Handicapped)

provides assistance
to low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities

In order to be eligible for C.A.S.H. or H.E.L.P.,
recipients must:

be a Boone County resident

meet specific requirements of the applicable
program

meet the income guidelines as applied by the Division of Human Services

All applicants are carefully screened and counseled
by social services specialists. Appropriate referrals are made
to assist only the applicant in preventing future emergencies. With these 2 utility assistance programs we are able to help families with children, disabled adults, and seniors 60 years old or older. If applicants are determined to be eligible they will be entered into a monthly lottery. If selected, $275 will be applied to the utility account.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation
to the H.E.L.P. Program, contact City of Columbia Utility Customer Services or Boone Electric at 573-449-4181, or complete and sign the annual
donation card included in your bill. Monthly billings
will state your year-to-date contributions for tax
records. 100% of contributions go directly to utility
bill payments for persons in need. No administrative
costs are paid from your gift.

Health Insurance/Coverage

Social services specialists are available to help you access public health insurance programs such as Medicaid and MC+.

MC+ for Kids gives Missouri's working parents an opportunity
to provide health insurance for their children at no-cost
or low-cost. Let us help you obtain this great benefit
for you and your kids! Certain qualifications apply. For further information, please visit the State MC+ for Kids site or call us at 573-817-6430 for assistance.

The state has expanded it's Uninsured Women's Health Services Program. Visit the state's website, view our flier or call us at 573-817-6430 for assistance.

Information and Referral

Social services staff provide information and referral
for a wide range of health and human services. Please
call or visit if you are in need of any information.

We also publish a comprehensive guide to health and human services in Boone County:

Medication Assistance

The purpose of this program is to help individuals
who are unable to afford or obtain prescription medications
through other resources.

Eligibility for this program
is determined by a social services specialist who will review the
applicants resources and needs.

Medications are
limited to those currently covered by the Division of Human Services.

Amounts and availability are subject to determination
by social services staff.

Pregnancy Testing

Reduced cost, confidential pregnancy testing is provided on
a walk-in basis. For women who are pregnant, counseling
is provided regarding pregnancy, the client's financial
situation, help finding prenatal care, information
regarding the WIC program, and for other resources.

Maternal/Child Health and Well-Being Services

Our social services staff offer a variety of services to help with pregnancy and the first few years of children's lives. The following is a brief summary of the services we offer. Please contact us if you are pregnant and need help.

Temporary Medicaid & Medicaid for Pregnant Women

Temporary ("Temp") Medicaid is designed to provide coverage until
a woman is approved for Medicaid for Pregnant Women (MPW).

Medicaid for Pregnant Women is a free, state-funded
insurance program for pregnant women which covers
prenatal and delivery services.

Applications for both programs may be completed at the Division of Human Services.

Prenatal Case Management

If you would like help making prenatal care arrangements,
and/or need other assistance during pregnancy, a social
services specialist can assist.

Healthy Families America Program

The Healthy Families America Home Visiting Program provides support during and after pregnancy. The program is free, voluntary and offers visits from our social services specialist. The program can help with: car seats, cribs, clothing, diapers, WIC, food stamps, Medicaid and breastfeeding. Missouri's Children's Trust Fund contributes a portion of funds for this program.

Eyeglasses Assistance

One- time assistance with eyeglasses is available
for permanent Columbia residents who meet the financial
eligibility criteria for the program.

Recipients must
be screened for eligibility by a social services specialist.

If found to be eligible, an appointment will then
be scheduled with a participating optician.

A $10
co-payment is required to schedule an exam with an
optician.

Dental Pain Relief

The Division of Human Services provides dental pain relief services for permanent Boone County residents who meet the financial
eligibility criteria for the program.